Train pipe coupling



Pe n, 25, 1936.

H. P. PETZNICK 2,032,096

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Filed April 30, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE Y Peak 25, 1936. H. P. PETZNICK TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Filed April 30, 1954. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Feb. 25, 1936. H, P, PETZMCK 2,@32,Q9$

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Filed April 30, 1934 4 Sheets$heet 5 INVENTOR WW g g fig ATTORNEY Feb. 25, E935. H, PETZNICK 2,@32,@96

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING Filed April 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 12v VENTOR.

QWw

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNETED STATES FATEN'E' OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in train pipe couplings.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide an improved coupling mechanism whereby the various train pipes or conducting lines on the cars and coaches of a. train will be automatically coupled by the coupling of said cars, and whereby the pipes of connected cars will be held firmly together under the various adverse conditions of travel and operation of the train.

,Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic train pipe coupling whereby the pipe lines of cars will always couple properly when brought together, even on sharply curved and rough tracks, and whereby the pipe lines will remain continuously coupled in fluid-tight relation although traveling around the sharp curves and while being jolted on the rough tracks.

A further object is to provide a coupling device which is so arranged and constructed that if the cars are accidently uncoupled, as by breaking apart of the train, and the companion coupling devices become disconnected, the mechanism function automatically to bleed the airbrake line for setting the brakes.

A still further object is to provide a train pipe coupling device whereby the air-brake line on a car can be bled gradually and intermittently by a person located at the side of the car and free from any danger therefrom, so as to enable him to apply the air-brakes intermittently, for gradually slackening the travel of a car and stopping it in a desired spot.

Another object of this invention is to provide an efiicient automatic train pipe coupling device whereby the various train lines can be readily coupled and will be retained firmly coupled under the various adverse railway conditions, and which device is provided with safety means for setting the brakes upon accidental breaking of the train and separating of the coupling devices, said safety means being further arranged to be readily controlled from the side of the car for gradually slowing and stopping an individual car in any predetermined position.

These and other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the invention is shown in its preferred forms of construction, it will be understood that they are illustra ive only and should not be interpreted in a limited sense.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the present preferred form of this invention, showing the parts in the position they assume when the cars are coupled.

Fig. 2 is a similar view partly in section, to show the internal construction of the structure shown 5 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view taken from the left in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. l, partly broken away.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the air brake valve closed, but its bleed valve open for setting the brakes upon accidental uncoupling.

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view, illustrating my invention in its preferred form applied to a railway car.

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation showing cars equipped with the improved train pipe couplers, the construction shown in Figs. 8 to 14, inclusive, being a modified form of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive. 25

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through one of the improved couplers.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the cylinder and piston, taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line |UI 0, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the shank, taken on the line llll of Fig. 9, with the guide and support for the shank shown in elevation. 3-

Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line I2-|2, Fig. 9, with the socket for pivotally mounting the cylinder shown in elevation.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view illustrating the manner in which the shanks of companion couplers are connected.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line I l-M of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a partial horizontal longitudinal section of the coupling head of the preferred form of construction.

Fig. 16 is a front elevation, showing a modified form of the supporting means. 50

As to all matters herein which are common to my prior application for patent on Train pipe coupling, Serial No. 344,857, filed March 6, 1929, and to the present application, the present one is a continuation in part of the former and is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive.

filed as a substitute therefor, to cover later developed improvements of this invention along with the original invention.

My improved train pipe coupling is adapted to be applied to a railroad car of a conventional construction and to connect the severaltrain lines, such as the steam, signal, and air brake lines of the respective cars in operative relation. Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates two box cars coupled together and having their train lines connected by a construction embodying my invention, and Fig. 7 illustrates my invention in its preferred form. The cars. are denoted by the' numeral l, and the usual draw-bar couplers thereon by the numeral 2, each of which includes the mounting 3 and a guide 4. My improved train pipe coupling is mounted beneath said draw-bar coupler. i

'R-eference will now be made to the specific construction of the preferred form'of my invention, This form comprises the cylinder 5 which may be of any suitable length and diameter, being closed at its forward and rearward ends by the heads 5 and 7,

respectively. The rearward head I (see l and 4) carries a rearwardly extending lug or boss 8 which is slotted, for the reception of a tongue 911 on a connecting block 9 which a'similar tongue 92) on its opposite face to fit into a slot provided in a block I0 which is operatively connected to a bracket or hanger H carried by the car. In Fig. 4 this connecting means is illustrated as a bolt l2 which extends from the member it] through the bracket or hanger H, and the parts 8 and 9a are pivotally connected by a ver tical pin 80, while the parts 92; and I0 are connected by a horizontal pin iilc, thereby enabling horizontal and vertical swinging of the cylinder 5 with relation to the car frame.

A piston i3 is slidably mounted in the cylinder 5 and is provided with a shank or stem I4 which extends outwardly through a passage formed in prevent entry of dust, and piston rings l are mounted in the piston surface.

Fassages i6, H and i8 are provided longitudinally through the shank l4, and have their forward ends extending laterally and opening through a face of the head l9 formed on the outer end of the shank I4, and the rearward ends of said passages extending substantially radially through the lateral wall of the piston l3, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The rearward radial parts of these passages open throughthewall of the piston l3, as denoted'by the numerals 2!], 2| and 22, and contain sockets at their extremities wherein are mounted apertured bearing members a, Zia and 22a, adapted to reduce wear of the interior wall of the cylinder and to provide leakproof connections when they, in the operative position, communicate with passages extending radially through the cylinder wall, denoted, respectively, by the numerals 23, 24 and 25, which 7 communicate respectively, with the chambers 26,

21 and 28 in valve casings or tubular members 29,

the cylinder. Said apertured bearing members are oblong and have arched seats in their outer faces, which extend a distance forwardly and rearwardly beyond the radial parts and beyond end of a spring 4|, the other end of which sur- 7 rounds a boss 42 on the inner face of the head 1.

The spring 4| is thus held properly in place and urges the piston l3 outwardly toward the limit of its motion. When in fully extended position,

there is no communication between the openings 2e, '2! and 22 and the cooperating openings or passages 23, 24 and 25. However, when the coupiers are coupled up the pistons are shoved'in until the cooperating openings are in registry (see Figs. 2 and 5), whereby the several train pipes;

for example, the air, signal, and steam pipes, of the two cars are put into communication.

The auxiliary valve devices are adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pipes to the cylinder passages 23, 24 and 25, in order to prevent the fluid, such as compressed air and steam, from remaining at high pressure in said passages, and

from bearing heavily against the peripheral wall of the piston, when the head I9 is in extendedor uncoupled position. This is to overcome the tendency of the highly compressed fluid from' seeping around the piston, and to enable using the piston and cyiinder for an extended time even though they are not perfectly milled.

A suitable construction of these valvedevices is illustrated in Fig. 2, which includes a valve element 43 within tubular member 3! adapted to contact and close a valve seat 43', and this valve element'is provided with a rod 44 extending forwardly through said tubular member. Similar valve mechanisms are provided in the tubular members 29 and 30, including the valve elements em and 43b and their valve rods 44a. and 442).

A bracket 45 has its front end 45' secured beneath head l9, and it extends rearwardly toward the steam valve member 3|. At its rearward end it is connected to a substantially U-shaped yoke 46 having two arms 46a and 45b extending upwardly upon opposite sides of the cylinder 5. Said yoke and arms have openings provided therethrough for-the reception of the rods 44, 44a and 44b. These rods have nuts 41 thereon whereby the position of the rods and, consequently, of the valves may be adjusted. There are other nuts near the ends of the rods, between which and the yoke are springs 48 which permit a certain amount of sliding movement between the rods" and the yoke, though the nuts 41 are normally held against the yoke 46 by the springs 48. Braces 49 extend from the bracket to the yoke to brace the latter and prevent it from tipping when the,

shank l4 and piston I 3 are shoved inwardly by engagement of the heads IS.

A framework is suspended from the car for resilientiy supporting the forward end of the cylinder, This framework comprises hangers 52 having brackets 53 secured to their lower ends. Bolts 54 pass through these brockets and secure lower and upper cross members 55 and 56 thereto; Springs 51 and 58 surround the bolts 54 and resiliently press the cross members 55 and 5 -3 against the brackets 53. This method of mounting peron-account of irregularities in the tracks.

the f r d f the piston to swing upferencesinheight'of the ends'ofadj'acent cars and also to compensate for'movemnt "of the: cars [Io centerthe piston and cylinderlatefally with respectto the framework; plates I;i'0 16 Fare "secured to'the forward end of "the'cylind'er and havespringstZ connecting them tobrackets 63 whicli'are mountedon' the hangers menu 53. Lateral pressure upon the head I9'causes one of the springs 62 to yield, thus permitting thefcylinder to swing laterally about the vertical pivot at its'rea'rward end.

As bestshown in Figs. 2, 4 and 1 5,the head I9 is recessed, and has a block 65 secured in the recess by means of strips 66. This blockhas apertures I6a, Ila and I8a which 'connnunicate with and constitute"contihuations of the "lateral ends "ofthe passages I6, I l and I8 which extend longitudinally through theshank I14. The blocks have evenly ground faces, so that when two heads I 9 are coupled, the openings through the blocks 65 are in alignment'and the pipes of the several train lines are tightly coupled: "In order to hold the blocks 65 of two coupled heads inclose engagement 'witheach'other so as to prevent leakage between-them; guides 1 6] are secured to the heads (see Fig. 4), to force them withtheir blocks 65 into c'losecontact, as "indicated diagrammatically by"Fig."13." fljhe guides 6 I maybe held in place in any suitable manner, as, for example, by means of bolts 68. I 'h'e bracket 45 is also held in place by nieans'of some of these bolts" 68. The guides 6'! have' fiare'dputerportions to make it more certain that the headsIS will enter'the guides 61 and cause proper coupling of the train lines, on uneven tracks,sharp curves and the'like. i

-By referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that a plate 81 is loosely mounted inthefguide 1" and may move toward and awayfrointhe head" I 9. This plate i'snotched to provide shoulders 88at its upperand lower edges'so as to prevent itiroin slipping rearwardly and out of the guide "Atits rearward edge, it is provided witha strip 89 which prevents the plate from 'moving' forwardly out or the guide but which is still removable so as to permit removal of the platei fAn"'inter'nall'y threaded socket $0 on the guide Ii! has a screw plug 9| therein between which'and the plaiteB'I isa' spring 92 which presses the plate 8] inwardly soas to hold the twdhe'ads I9 in tight engagement. A plurality of such sock'etsf plugsand springs are preferably provided, as shown in Big. 1-. fI'he inner faces of the upper and lower arms of the guide 61 are grooved for the reception of the-plate 81, as shown at 88a in Fig.3, thus preventingthe plate from dropping out. The tension of the-springSZ may be adjusted by "adjusting the plug 9|, thus making it possible'to'compen sate for wear of the parts. In this invention the auxiliary air valve 43a (see Fig. 6) is made conical to a prolonged extent, so that during the initial period of opening of this valve the annular space or passage between the valve and its seat will be comparatively narrow, and said space will gradually become larger, in order to allow only a restricted "volume of charged air to flow through the valve during the beginning of its opening movement; "This ieature'is especially advantageous where a charged train pipeis coupled to an empty or substantially empty'train pipe, whereby otherwise an en'iers w A pli a io of h bra e mi h I b p duced through; the rapid drop of pressure in r the "charged pipe. By thisconstructionthe valve ppening is initially limited and becomes gradually larger during its opening movement, to obviate any su ch undesired brake application during coufpli ng'of the cars and brake lines; while these auiriliary valves are likewise closed slowly, whereiby to obviate the airan d steam from remaining at full'pressure in passages 23, 26 and25, or from and auxiliary valves are in closed position.

Acombination safety valve and control valve mechanism is provided in this form of my invention, which, as illustrated, is combined with the 0 jseeping around the piston when the rnain valves valve casing 29 and its auxiliary valve means 43 a of e air-brake mechanism. I therefore preferably provide inthe rearpart of valve means,43'a

a'chamberor' pocket 93 having a port 93' thereon.

which is positioned so that it will be rearward or outside of casing 29 when head I9 is coupled and valve 13a is open (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) but which is placed inside of casing 29 and communicates with air pipe 32 when head I9 is extended and valve 43a is closed (see Fig. 6), whereby it serves as an'intake port for receiving and bleeding air from casing ,29 and air pipe 32. I also secure to the valve casing 29 a bracket 94 whereon a hookshaped' actuator 95 is pivotally mounted at 9,6. A" 'sp 1 ting 9Jactuate s member 95 about its pivot bu't'is cjapabIeofyieIding so as to permit the hook to risjand ride over an arm or lug 98extending laterally from the valve stem 99, and therefore, when actuated, causes rotationof the stem and eore'of a'valve I02 which is mounted on the rearwardend' of valve element 43a and is in constant communication with chamber 93, thereby providing means for automatically opening valve I02. For the purpose of manually operatingthe bleed valve I02," and especially for closing it, a cross- ,4!)

arm I00 is connected to the stem 99 and has a pair of actuating rods IOI connected thereto'and extending laterally and diagonally to the sides of the car, each rod having an operating handle I0 I on its end, so that the valve I02 can be opened andclosed by a person at the side of the car,

without a between'two cars.

A'guide bar or rod I03 is fastened to the side of "the valve I02 which is adjacent the cylinder 5 and serves to prevent rotation of the rod 44a andvalve' I02. Said guide rod I03 cooperates with an angular bracket I04 bolted to thehead I, as indicated at I05. This angular bracket has a forked'e'ndso that the guide rod I03 may slide in the notch between the parts of this end.

With this safety valve construction the valve I02 is open under normal operating conditions, as indicated in the drawings, and while the heads I 9 areoperatively coupled the port 93' is outside of air casing 29, and no bleeding of the air line can take place; However; if the train should break, and'the head I9 is thereupon extended, thensaid port moves into said casing and receiv es the brake-air therefrom to convey it to my danger of him getting under same or valve I02 which is open, and thereby bleeds the [the free or uncoupled end of each car.

ing of casing '29 and'the train pipe will result at When the heads are coupled, then the safety valve I02 is again automatically opened or set by actuator 95 as explained above. This safety valve very useful as a control valve device for slackening the speed of a car or coach and stopping it in a desired spot. ed at the side of the car, whether. on the ground or on the car ladder, after he has actuated the pin-lifter handle $16 for cutting out a car or coach, can then conveniently manipulate handle ml so as to open valve I92 intermittently to ap: ply the airbrakes for. slackening the speed of the car and to stop it'in the desired spot. This construction thus renders this device suitable for conveniently shunting and spotting individual cars and coaches, while remaining safely at the side of the cars, and without going on top of or within or between the same. 1

Longitudinal keys I01 are arranged in slots in the cylindrical surface of the piston and are forced outwardly. by springs I08 which keepin close contact with the internal Wall of the cylinder to prevent transverse leakage between the openings 20, 2| and 22'. These keys should extend between the inner piston rings lSa so as to reduce to a min imum the amount of leakage through the space between the cylinder and piston. The cylinder 5 is provided with a vent opening H39 near its rearwardend to permit venting of air entrapped between the piston I3 and head i and to permit air to enter into this space when cars are uncoupled,

. description are substantially identical, and those apparatus herein, which differs somewhat from V in the form described above. 55'

having the same numerals with a sufiix are similar and have a similar function. V r

In this form a piston I3, is slidably mounted in cylinder 5' and lugs l8 are provided on shanks M which are engaged by the heads l9, to prevent said heads from passing each other too far, and the ends of the openings 2| and 22' will be brought to register with the openings 23', 24' and 25 which extend through the cylinder wall, like 'As shown in Fig. 10, these openings 2t, 2 l and 22 may have enlargements ll, '52 and 1-3 to insure that there will be ample registration, even though there may be wear of the parts.

Particular reference will now be made to Figs. Sand 11 for a description of the head-centering that described above. In this construction a frame 14 is secured to the under side of the car,

. and it has bolts 15 extending through'it into guidefore, hold the head l9 centrally and yieldably' positioned so that there may be lateral swinging of the head, shanks and cylinders as necessitated by the swaying of the cars or their passing around curves.

To centrally position the, shank l4. vertically,

mechanism is furthermore The brakeman or person locat- In this way, theshanks are always held properly positioned vertically, to be coupled up automatically when two cars are brought together to be coupled. V V

' Pist'cnrings I300 are provided in the surface pins 18 extend inwardly from the name" into of the piston l 3' to prevent leakage of the air and steam past the piston, as in the preferred form of this invention. V V

Fig. 16 illustrates a modified and simplified form of front bracket forsupporting the forward end of the cylinder. This comprises a pair of springs Ill] which have their lower ends connected, by suitable means Ill, tothe top end portions of a curved band or yoke I l 2 which is clampedaround the forward end of the cylinder 5. Said springs diverge upwardly, and their upper ends are attached to eyebolts I [3 which are adjustably connected to brackets l M mounted underneath the car, thereby providing for adjustment and to compensate for any variation in thelength of the springs. This construction provides'a very simple and economical front'bracket for my train pipe coupling device.

I claim as my invention: r, '1. A train pipe coupling comprising a cylinder, 2. piston slidable in said cylinder and havinga portion extending through the outer end of the-cylinder, a passage being formed longi-.

tudinally through the piston with its inner end Q portion extending transversely and opening through the side of the piston, the walls of'the cylinder. being formed with an inlet to communi cate with the inner end of said passage when the piston is moved inwardly, means to yieldably resist inward movement of said piston, a neck extending from the inner-end of said cylinder, a socketmember fitting loosely about saidneck,

vertical pivot pin means provided in the socket der,,a piston slidable in said cylinder and hav ing .a portion projecting from the outer end thereof, means to yieldably resist inward movement of said piston, said cylinder having an air inlet and the piston being formed with an air passage closed at its inner'end when'the piston is in its normal position, a neck extending from the inner end of said cylinder, a socket member fitting loosely aboutsaid neck, a pivot, pin extending vertically through the socket and neck to permit horizontal swinging of the cylinder, supports at opposite sides of said socketmember, pivots connecting the socket member with said supports to permit vertical swinging of the cylinder, and a 'guide slidably and swingably supporting said portion.

3. "Atrainpipe coupling comprising a pair of similar'connec'tors which are laterally inflexible while coupled, each comprising elements rela-' mounted, having a plurality of conduits con-- nected together so that theconduits of the two carswill be connected and in open communicae ments having longitudinal openings therethrough, one terminus of each of said openingsbeing connected in fluid-tight relation to a corresponding opening of the other elementand the other terminus of each opening being connected to:its-Lcor.- responding conduit, each connector mounting having a pivotal mounting enabling, it to pivot in ,a vertical direction and a second pivotal mounting enabling it tion. i 1

4,-In a coupler of the class described,the combination of a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein and a plurality of openings extending laterally through the wall thereof intermediate the ends of the cylinder, a. pluralityof pipes being connected in open communication withthe openings, the piston having lateral open,-

to turn in a horizontal direcings corresponding. to and communicating with the openings through the wall of the cylinderin a certain position of the piston withrelation to,

the-cylinder, the openings of the piston and cylinder beingnormally held out of registry when the coupler is uncoupled, a stem extending from one end rof the piston through one end of the cylinder, said stem having a plurality of openings in a lateral face thereof adjacent to the exposed end of the stem and having longitudinal openings connecting the last named openings with the openings in the piston, the cylinder having a pair of pivotal mountings, one enabling it to swing horizontally and the other enabling it to swing vertically, and resilient means nor- ,mally holdin'g the cylinder and piston in a censupport, a piston slidably. mountedin said cylin' 45" tralized position but making it possible for them toswing horizontally or vertically upon the ap- I plication of force during the operation of the apparatus. r

5,. In a train-line coupler, acylinder supported. at onelend to swing vertically and-horizontally, resilientmeans connected adjacent to the oppositeQend of. the cylinder to normally hold the samein acentral position with relation to its der and having a stem extending outwardly through an end thereof, resilient means within the cylinder between its opposite end and the oppositeendof the piston to normally hold the I stem'rprojected, said stem havinga'head at its outer endand aset of openings upona lateral face' of said head, said stem also having. longitudinalopenings extending from the first mentioned openings through the stem and intothe piston, the innerend of the openings turning laterally and opening through the lateral face of. the piston to register with a companion setofopenings in the cylinder wall when the piston is in retracted position, one set of saidcom panion openings being enlarged so as to regis- 'ter readily withthe other set.,

6. In a train-line coupler, a cylinder having a having. openings through its lateral wall arranged peripherally thereof, a piston fitting within andsliding in the cylinder and having a shank. extending through the opening inthe head, said opening and shank being constructed to prevent relative. turning movement thereof the shank having, longitudinal. openings thereinwhose endsextend laterally .to the surface .of the .piston and toone' face of the shank, the openings to the surface of the piston being arranged to register with the openings through the cylinder wall when the piston is retracted.

7.,In a train-line coupler, a cylinder having a pair.of removable heads, one of said heads having a post projecting outwardly therefrom,

saidpost being connected to a car by pivots'arranged transversely to each other, said cylinder having a set'of openings through its lateral wall arranged peripherally therethrough, a piston fitting within and sliding in the cylinder and having a shank extending through the opening in said head, said opening and shank being constructed to prevent relative turning movement thereof, said shank having a set of longitudinal openings therein whose ends extend laterally to the surface of the piston and to one face of the A shank, the set of openings to the face of the piston being arranged to register with and cooperate With the companion set of openings through the cylinder Wall, one set of said companion openings being enlarged so as to register readily with the other set. i

,8. In a train-line coupler, a cylinder having a pair of heads, said cylinder having openings through its lateral wall, arranged peripherally thereof, one head having an opening therethrough, a piston within and sliding within the cylinder and having a shank extending through the opening in said head and being constructed to prevent turning in said opening, said shank having longitudinal openings therein whose ends extend laterally to the surface of the piston and to one face of the shank, the openings to the face'of the piston being arranged to register with and cooperate with the openings through the cylinder Wall.

9. In a train-line coupler, a cylinder having a pair. ofheads, said cylinder having a set of openings through its lateral wall, arranged peripherally thereof, one head having an opening therethrough, a piston within and sliding within the cylinder and having a shank extending through theopening in said head, said opening and shank being constructed to prevent relative turning movement thereof, said shank having a set of longitudinal openings therein whose ends extend laterally to the surface of the piston and to one face of the shank, the openings to the face of the piston being arranged to register with and cooperate with the companion set of openings through the cylinder Wall, the piston having depressions in its peripheral wall surrounding the openings therein so as to register readily with the other openings of the cylinder wall.

10. In a train-line coupler, a pair of similar cylinders and means for operatively mounting them beneath the adjacent ends of a pair of cars, said cylinders having each a set of apertures in the peripheral wall, each cylinder containing a reciprocating piston having a stem extending through the forward end of the cylinder, said piston and stem containing a set of longitudinal passages whose rear ends extend laterally to the surface ofthe piston, adapted to register with the apertures in the cylinder when the stems are 1 ports therein being positioned in a plane which liesbetween and substantially parallel to the axes of the pair of pistons and cylinders while coupled, thereby maintaining a fluid-tight connec extend laterally to the surface of the piston and t ;swing freely with relation thereto, said cylinders having a set of apertures through its peripheral tion between said ports and passages.

I11. Ina train-line coupler, a cylinder having a pair of removable heads, one of said'heads having atpost projecting outwardly therefrom' said post being connected to a car by pivots-arranged transversely to each other; said cylinder having openings through its lateral wall arranged peto one faceof the shank, the openings to the surface of: the piston being arranged to register with and ,pooperate with the openings through the cylinder Wall, a frame surrounding and spaced from said shank, and springs between said frame and shank: and holding the latter centralized in position with relation to the former.

12. In a train pipe coupling comprising a cylinder and means for mounting it on a ear to an elongated piston slidable in the cylinder and having a stem extending through its forward end, a coupling head on the stem, said piston and stem and head having a set ef longitudinal passages therein with their rear ends turned laterally and terminating in the lateral surface of the piston, adapted to register with the cylinder apertures when the piston is retracted, the forward ends of the passages terminating. in said head, and auxiliary valves on the cylinder, over said apertures, includinge stationary fluid conducting members and movable members therein, forcontrolling the flow ofa'chargedfiuid through said apertures and prevent it. from pressing heavily against the lateral surface of the piston and leaking therearound while extended.

13. In a train pipe coupling comprising a cyl-e inder and means for operatively mounting it beneath a car, said tylinderhavingt an aperture in "its peripheral wall, an elongated piston slidably mountedwvithin said cylinder and having a passage extending longitudinally therein with its rear end terminating in the lateral surface of v the piston adapted to register with the cylinder apertureiwhen the piston is retracted and not from the train line to said aperture and a move to register when the piston is extended, an auxi'iiary valve mechanism mounted on the cylinder, 1

including: a conduit adapted to conduct fluid able member therein operated by the piston, for controlling the flow of fluid to said aperture and. passage, whereby'the highly charged fiuid in the train line is prevented from flowing to and pressing against the surface of the piston while it is extended. l e

14. In a train pipe coupling device adapted to' be mounted on a car that has drawbar pro-V of the 'car, comprising aamember provided with M 'a fluid passage, and valve means for controlling :means associated with said control valve'means actuated and opened automatically to bleed the train line for setting the brakes when the train breaks'apart and the head is extended, means including a member positioned at the side of the car, and readily operated along with the plnlifter rod, for'manually. operating said safety valvemeansL I i 15. In a train pipe coupling comprising a pair of members movablerelativeitofeach other and 5 including a fluidpassageand means for control- V ling the'flow of fluid therethrough, a valve'associated with said control means' adapted to close the passage and to restrict fluid from initially flowing in full volume from a charged train pipe 10 into an empty one and causing application of the brakes, a safety valve associated with said valve and adwted to bleed the" train line for applying the brakes when the headis' accidentally uncoupled, and means for manually opening and clos- 15 ing said safety valve. a p a 16. Irr'a train pipe coupling compnsm a pistonf provided with a'fluid passage, means for operatively supporting the piston on a car and includ ing valve'means for controlling the flow of fluid 2Q through said passage, an auxiliary valve including a casing interposed between said valve means and the train line adapted to conduct fluid from the latter to said valve'means and passage, and having an element movable with thepiston to close 25 said auxiliary valve upon uncoupling'of the cars, said element beingso constructed and arranged 7 as to impede the full flow of 'air through the 7 train line from rushing from a charged train line into an empty one upon the coupling operation to avoid sudden application of the brakes.

17. In a train pipe conpling comprising a head and means. for supporting it on a'car, said head and means being provided with a fluid passage and valve means therefor including a conduit an ranged to conduct fiuidfrom the train line there'- to, a safety valve connected to the conduit and V in open communication with said valve means" while the head isextended, actuating means .operated automatically by the outward movement. of the head to open the safety valve for bleed? ing the train'lin'e to apply the brakes when apair of heads accidentally'separate, and means con= nected with the safety valve for manually closing said valve when the cars are ordinarily uncoupled and adapted for manipulating said valve t e apply the brakes selectively. ff 7 p 18. In a train pipe coupling comprising a'cyl-' inder and means for mountingrit on a car, the cylinder having an aperture in its peripheral wall, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and having a passage longitudinally therein which terminates at its rear in 'the'liateral surface of the piston adapted to register with the cylinder aperture when the piston is retracted, a coupling head connected with the piste-n and having a port connected with said passage, valve means mounted onthe cylinder oversaid aperture and adapted to prevent highly charged fluid in the train line from flowing toand pressing heavily 60 against the surface of the piston .while it is ex tended, a safetyyalv connected to said, valve], means and in openfcommunication; therewith,"

. when the head is extended butjnot when the head vided with a pin-lifter red extending to the side is retracted, means forfautomatically opening the r 65 safety valve by the separating of a pairiof heads,

7 whereby to bleed the train line if the trainpbreaks I and the head "becomes extended, and means for 1 closing the safety valve 'manually'when the cars are ordinarily uncoupled and adapted for meme-V 70 ulating said valve toa'pply the brakes with Y lected'effect. T r 1 V 19. In a train pipe coupling comprising an outer tubular member "mountable on a carand having a sideport, afmember slidable therein containing a longitudinal passage having its inner end registrable with said port, a valve including a casing mounted on said outer member over said port adapted to conduct fluid from the train line thereto, a valve element in said casing movable along with said slidable member and adapted to prevent compressed fluid in the air line from flowing in its full volume from a charged train pipe into an empty one and causing application of the brakes, a safety valve connected to said casing which is automatically set upon coupling of the car to be actuated to bleed the train line for applying the brakes When the car becomes accidentally uncoupled, and means for operating the safety valve extending to the side of the car to be readily accessible to a person free from the car.

20. In a train pipe coupling comprising a cylinder mountable on the car and having a side port, a member slidable therein and extendible therefrom having a coupling head at its outer end and containing a passage extending therefrom and at its inner end being registrable with said port, a casing mounted over said port adapted to conduct fluid from the train line thereto, a safety valve including a channelled member connected to the casing and providing communication between the valve and casing, said valve being automatically opened and the channelled member being moved out of communication with the casing upon the coupling of the cars and the retraction of the slidable member but being moved in communication with the casing and the train line to bleed the latter for applying the brakes when the coupling becomes uncoupled and the slidable member becomes extended, and conveniently operable means for closing the safety valve on an uncoupled coupling to prevent bleeding of the train line.

21. In a train pipe coupling comprising an outer tubular member mountable on the car and having a side port, a member slidable therein and extendible therefrom containing a longitudinal passage having its inner end registrable with said port, a valve including a casing mounted on said outer member over said port adapted to conduct fluid from the train line thereto, a valve element in said casing movable along with said slidable member and adapted to prevent charged fluid from the train line from initially flowing in full volume from a charged train pipe into an empty one and causing application of the brakes, a safety valve which is automatically opened and moved out of communication with the casing upon the coupling of the cars and the retraction of the slidable member, but is moved into communication with the casing and train line to bleed the same for applying the brakes when the coupling becomes uncoupled and the slidable member becomes extended, and conveniently operable means for manually closing the safety valve on an uncoupled coupling to prevent undesired bleeding of the train line.

HERMAN P. PETZNICK. 

